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Activity: Schools Tree Day – Be a tree – Early Learning

Activity Introduction

Quick summary: In this activity children are asked to investigate what plants need to grow and survive and how this can be related to what humans need to grow and survive. Children dance along to the dirtgirlworld song Grow Up and role-play a seed growing into a plant. They then plant some seeds for themselves, water their seeds and watch their seeds grow into plants. This activity has been developed to give children the opportunity to explore activities around mindfulness, nature and personal well being.

Following this activity is an ideal way for children to participate in Planet Ark’s Schools Tree Day – the largest nature-care event in Australian schools. You and your children will join thousands of amazing educators and teachers in making a difference, fostering a child’s love of nature and creating positive environmental change. So, get growing! It only takes a minute to register for Schools Tree Day.

For more extensive dirtgirl resources check out the website. The dirtgirlworld App is jam-packed with interactive fun things to make you want to get outside and get grubby!

2. Children develop a range of skills and processes such as problem solving, enquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating

4. Children resource their own learning through connecting with people, place, technologies and natural and processed materials

Resources needed: Small growing tubs such as egg cartons or toilet rolls, a range of different seeds (e.g. sunflower, lettuce or radish), potting mix, spoons for digging soil, large tray to place tubs into so they can be moved around, and water. See How to plant a seed.

Worksheets

Teacher Worksheet

Background information

Learning goals: Children are asked to investigate what plants need to grow and survive and how this can be related to what humans need to grow and survive. Children are first asked to role-play a seed growing into a plant, and then will plant some seeds for themselves, water their seeds and watch their seeds grow into seedlings and then plants.

Content information for educators (also suitable for parents):

The benefits of mindfulnessWe are a culture increasingly becoming addicted to instant communication and ever-changing technologies. While technologies such as mobile phones bring wonderful opportunities, children are spending more and more time being passively engaged in these technologies rather than actively engaging in the world around them. This includes the natural world and our environment. There is growing concern about the lack of time young people spend in nature and the consequences of this disconnection.